Abstract
The role of ω3 alpha linolenic acid (ALA) in the maternal diet during pregnancy and lactation, and its effect on the prevention of disease and programming of health in offspring, is largely unknown. Compared to ALA, ω3 docosahexaenoic (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic (EPA) acids have been more widely researched due to their direct implication in fetal neural development. In this literature search we found that ALA, the essential ω3 fatty acid and metabolic precursor of DHA and EPA has been, paradoxically, almost unexplored. In light of new and evolving findings, this review proposes that ALA may have an intrinsic role, beyond the role as metabolic parent of DHA and EPA, during fetal development as a regulator of gene programming for the prevention of metabolic disease and promotion of health in offspring.
Highlights
More than 80 years ago, Burr et al [1] described the essential fatty acids (EFA) linoleic acid (ω6LA) and alpha linolenic acid (ω3 ALA) in animals
Their research contributed to the knowledge and concept that normal growth, development and health in mammals depends on EFA nutritional supply
FAs play a primary role in growth and development and it is accepted that imbalances in their intake during pregnancy and lactation may result in permanent changes that affect appetite control, neuroendocrine function and energy metabolism in the fetus; influencing the metabolic programming [7]
Summary
More than 80 years ago, Burr et al [1] described the essential fatty acids (EFA) linoleic acid Their research contributed to the knowledge and concept that normal growth, development and health in mammals depends on EFA nutritional supply. Both EFA share enzymes like the ∆6 desaturase and elongases, and, compete as substrates in this metabolic pathway (Figure 1). Maternal nutrition during pregnancy-lactation can induce significant changes in body composition, physiology and metabolism in offspring. FAs on development and their can be considered suitable when researching the impact of nutritional FAs on development and on the offspring’s susceptibility to metabolic diseases, including insulin their long‐term long-terminfluence influence on the offspring’s susceptibility to metabolic diseases,obesity, including obesity, resistance (IR), and cardiovascular risk [13]. A nutrigenetics approach is recommended [14,15]
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